Union Pacific Flooding
Wow, that’s pretty intense.
…and they say there’s a water shortage.
Going to be some expensive repairs on those lines.
UP’s ex-MOP line along Missouri River here in our burg has been underwater for about a week now.
Is that a signal or a periscope?
It’ll be ok, just needs a slow order. (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
Looks like that slow order will have to be in place for yet another week.
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=eax&gage=bozm7&hydro_type=2
Wonder how much money, material, and time, will be involved in rehabbing the track and signals after the flood?
Assuming, that is, that the flood ends, someday.
And assuming the RR doesn’t just say, “Eh, screw it, that line costs too much to save, scrap it.”
While I’m not sleeping, let’s look at some flood news in the railroad trade press,
3/21/2019
Railroads’ flood-ravaged Midwestern tracks trigger FRA emergency declaration
Federal Railroad Administrator Ronald Batory on Tuesday declared an emergency event for railroad operations because of extreme flooding throughout the Midwest.
The National Weather Service has documented historic flooding throughout the region, Batory said in an emergency event announcement. Rivers rose to unprecedented levels in more than 40 locations due to melting snow and ice, causing power outages, breached dams and broken levees. Numerous reports estimate the flooding could last all spring.
And, https://www.railwayage.com/mw/contractors-railroads-battle-catastrophic-flood-damage/?RAchannel=home
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Class I, Freight, Intercity, M/W, News, Passenger, Safety, Short Lines & Regionals
Contractors, railroads battle catastrophic flood damage
Written by Paul Conley, Engineering Editor; and Editor-in-Chief, Railway Track & Structures
Record-setting floods have caused extensive damage to railroad infrastructure across large sections of the Midwest, prompting a surge in construction and repair work.
The contracting community has put considerable numbers of workers and equipment into the field, as railroads look to rebuild washed-out sections of track.
…
Despite the best efforts of contractors and employees, there seems little likelihood that things will improve quickly for the railroads. Receding flood waters, combined with snow melt, will likely cause additional flooding along the Mississippi River during the next few days.
You are about to get more water Forrest. I live above the largest of the 4 flood control reservoirs in Kansas and it will reach max capacity on Saturday. They have begun discharging water.
Oh. Great.
But, honestly, if the reservoir dam failed, that would be a much bigger problem.
Posted the following a couple days ago over on MeWe (which is sort of a haven for Google Plus refugees)
…
"But the Corps of Engineers can’t hold water any longer, "
So much fun could be had with that in other contexts … 
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is sending more staff to levees and dams in its district to monitor flood levels.
“We’re in flood condition really from Sioux City, Iowa to St. Louis,” said Jud Kneuvean, emergency management chief in Kansas City. “All our major tributaries — the Grand River, Osage River, Kansas River — are all full, and the Missouri River is varying from minor flood stage to major flood stage.”
…
“There’s a lot of water out there, and specifically on the Kansas River basin we’ve been holding water back since mid-March, since the high water season started, to try and reduce impacts downstream in the Missouri River,” said Col. Doug Guttormsen, commander of the Kansas City District.
But the Corps of Engineers can’t hold water any longer, even though more rain is in the forecast.
…
New Franklin is town directly across river from us in Boonville.
I just got back from picking up a refill at locally owned pharmacy & while out went the 4 blocks further to the Missouri River, is about a foot higher than Wednesday, the 1844 flood marker is now under water.
Only 4 feet left to go to equal the 1993 flood.
This side of the river is Cooper County.
https://www.fayettenewspapers.com/2019/05/29/possible-evacuation/
BREAKING NEWS POSSIBLE EVACUATIONBy Linda Vroman | May 29, 2019 | 0
I just received notice from Howard County Emergency Management that the levy in Petersburg will be compromised later this evening. If you live in Franklin or the bottom area of New Franklin be prepared to evacuate. If you need a place to go the city Community Building will be opened…
This alert is for the residents of New Franklin South of Sulphur Street, the residents of Franklin, and the residents along Highway Z in Howard County.
And, https://krcgtv.com/news/local/flooding-forces-evacuation-for-some-new-franklin-residents
NEW FRANKLIN — Some residents have been advised to evacuate their homes due to flooding on the Missouri River late Wednesday night.
The alert was sent to people who live south of Sulphur Street and along Highway Z.
The Howard County Emergency Management alert asked those residents to take essential items such as medicine, special food items, baby items, clothing, money and valuable papers.
The alerts also advised residents to secure their homes before they evacuate.
Oh, how about some context, this shows where that 1844 high water mark stone is. UP’s tracks are several feet under at this point.
Unfortunately, your water is on it’s way.
The perfect situation to use steam locos! After all, diesel traction motors crap out when in water, but not 844 or 4014! (Assuming the track bed is still sound).
Thanks Joe, great pics. That might have been pretty spooky, with switch points and debris and maybe an occasional rock that one couldn’t see. I’ll bet they took the first runs real slow, haha!
Just so long as the firebox stays above the water. Wasn’t there a railroad that kept a steamer in service after it dieselized, just for “wading”
Somebody should tell this guy he’s in a “NO WAKE” zone!
Gee, I thought that when the rails were wet, they were slippery. He seams to be moving along pretty good for running on slippery rails.
Maybe he has “flippers” attached to the side rods! (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
David Maynard said:
Gee, I thought that when the rails were wet, they were slippery. He seams to be moving along pretty good for running on slippery rails.
It appears to be muddy water, there’s plenty of grit in it.(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
